Judith L. Rifenberg

Judy Rifenberg, devoted, beloved, and faithful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, went to heaven peacefully on April 15, 2026 at the age of 82.

Born Judith Lou Ford in 1943, her walk with the Lord didn't start until her late teens. She found Jesus not much before she found Jim, her future husband. God's timing was perfect. From that point on, her faith was not simply a part of her life—it was the very foundation of it. She cherished and nurtured her family and friends, knowing she was held by a faithful God who would one day call her home.  That certainty gave her strength through every season and peace in her final days.

She spent almost 61 years married to her loving husband, James Rifenberg. He survives her, as do the families of their children, Ray and Rebecca, who she loved and raised with a fierce and tender loyalty. Their respective spouses, Cynthia and Bill, were welcomed into the family over 30 years ago with equal care and adoration.  Judy saw marriage, motherhood, and grandmotherhood not as duties but as her highest calling. She was their constant servant: rising early for them, staying up late to listen, cooking, cleaning, encouraging, correcting, forgiving without keeping score, and praying ceaselessly for them. Her kitchen table was a place of safety and laughter; her lap was a refuge; her words were full of grace and truth.

To her husband, she was his partner and best friend. To her children and grandchildren, she was simply “Mom” and “Grandma” — with the steady, sacrificial heart of a Christian homemaker, she never missed a chance to spend time with and pour love over her four children, six grandchildren, their five spouses and partners, and two great-grandchildren with another one on the way. Ray (II), Brittany, and Ray (III) Rifenberg; William, Sydney, and Grace Green; Renee Rifenberg and Griffin Platto; Audrey, Ben, and Baby Haupt; Ryan Rifenberg; Jack Green and Jay Wood… all were loved powerfully by Judy, as were her three honorary children, Peter Junoy, Holly Ledyard-Junoy, and Stephanie McDowell.

In addition to her rich family legacy, she passed on her deep love and care for animals, specifically the beautiful alpacas and other farm animals she and Jim personally raised on their 20 acre farm in Scotts, Michigan. Also her deep compassion for hurting people was evident to all her knew her, but especially those in a ministry called Celebrate Recovery, where Judy mentored women who have experienced trauma, loss, and/or addiction.

Judy was a steadfast friend and encourager to a countless many... impacting lives of neighbors, colleagues in Mary Kay Cosmetics, couple friends, church family members, extended family, and even dear friends of her children and grandchildren. Two of her favorite refrains were “I love you back” and “Jesus loves you and so do I.”

“She has fought the good fight, she has finished the race, she has kept the faith.”
- 2 Timothy 4:7

Well done, good and faithful servant.   
You are now fully restored.   
Your days of pain and suffering are gone, and you will know nothing but abundant joy and love for the rest of eternity, and we will join you there someday.
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We are planning two Life Celebrations for Judy. One in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as well as one in Salt Lake City, Utah. However, one of Mom’s wishes was that we would not rush or feel pressured to do these right away. She also requested that her memorial would feel more like a family reunion than a funeral. We will honor her wishes.

We are working on these plans and will be sure to add the info. here as soon as they are formalized. We hope all her family and friends can join in!

With love and gratitude for your relationship with Mom and our family,

Ray Rifenberg and Rebecca (Rifenberg) Green